Intro: This is my sequel that I didn't think I'd write. I believe my previous story, Taiyou tou Tsuki, did drain most of my Sesshomaru-sama obsession from me. But Sesshomaru is so awesome that it's very easy to obsess about him all over again! LOL (as she clutches her Sesshomaru plush doll…). So this story really overviews some themes that I didn't get a chance to go into before; Rin's past, Sesshomaru's way of thinking about Rin, and how much he does care –but will not admit aloud—and Rin being caught in a love triangle of political intrigue, i.e. more of Akiko-sama. I know some of you were wondering about her. When it's not dramatic, it's a little fluffy. LOL. Just indulge me. But this piece is also dark and somewhat emotional, but not as involved in Sesshomaru worship as my previous story. (I've tried to make the two stories as separate as possible so you won't need to read the other one—but out of curiosity you should probably read the first to understand what happened there). Please enjoy and review. –Kero.

Part One: Mononoke Hime (Demon Princess)

"Your tea and meal, Meiyuri hime-sama," said Yoko from behind the door as she slid the tray across the door frame and onto the tatami mats that lined Rin's private chambers. The waning afternoon sun slid into the room through the open door. From behind her embroidered silk screen Rin winced at her servant's use of her real name and the honorific title attached thereto.

"Yoko-san," she smiled. "I would rather you just call me Rin. It's short and simple. That would be fine," she said with a faint smile. Rin continued to water her flower pots beneath her window. Several of the wildflowers were blossoming now, delighting her with an array of yellow, blue and purple hues.

"Nothing about you is short or simple," replied the old servant. "And those are Lord Sesshomaru's instructions to the servants." Rin peered out from behind her screen at the old demon obaa-san with a kindly face and contemplated what was just relayed to her.

Yoko-san had been human some time ago as a nanny, midwife and caretaker of children in a local village. She died a violent death during the siege of her home town by a power hungry overlord but through her will to protect the children left behind and orphaned by the war, she became a spirit, or mononoke as humans called them. Now, she was Rin's personal servant in Sesshomaru's castle and Rin felt a strong friendship with her, perhaps because of Yoko's nature to be nurturing.

As Rin looked at Yoko, she could tell that there was no lie in that statement. Sesshomaru had really ordered all the servants to treat her with respect. Rin went over to Yoko and sat down by the lacquered tray, taking one of the elegantly decorated rice cakes to nibble on.

Several months had passed since Rin returned to Sesshomaru-sama's side, after she had gone out to see the world for herself and to find her place in it. Unfortunately, Rin's path outside of the barrier of Sesshomaru's castle led to her uncle, or at least the revived and still very deceased demon part of him. Rin found herself fighting an epic life or death battle between her family's clan of Yamazaki and an army of the dead. Rin managed to live through it, somehow. Naturally, her guardian and protector was also there to help.

It was then that she realized that no matter where she traveled, all paths lead back to her beautiful and illustrious Lord Sesshomaru, who was dearer to her than anything. Rin had never been in love before, but she knew that her heart swelled every time she thought of him, and on certain occasions, she would blush fiercely even upon hearing his name. She was certain that she would do anything for him, but he never asked anything of Rin, which perhaps made her admire him even more. For as long as she could remember, Sesshomaru-sama had simply let her be herself.

But when she returned to this place, his fortress, her status among those demons who resided there had changed. Instead of calling her "that girl," or "the human," or simply "Rin," they now addressed her by her formal name with a title. Rin felt even more uncomfortable now than when they simply called her "it" (a name she had acquired when she first resided in the castle.) She was certain that those in the castle did not know what to make of her return this time. Sesshomaru-sama himself had retrieved her from the outside world; after the whole castle was relieved she had finally left.

It was as if her presence and return was a broadcast throughout and around the castle telling everyone of how she now had Sesshomaru-sama's "favor." She grimaced at the thought of that term. Usually, it was a term associated with a noble lord's concubines or wives. But she and Sesshomaru had never…Rin gulped and turned beet red.

"Hime-sama, are you well?" asked Yoko. Rin did not respond. Was Sesshomaru-sama's instructions to call her by her formal title a sort of affirmation of…that? She turned away from Yoko as she sipped her tea, trying to hide the rosy hue in her cheeks.

Rin was a little embarrassed that on their way back from Yamazaki Castle that Jaken had witnessed some rather intimate moments between herself and Lord Sesshomaru. Out underneath the gentle light of the moon and stars Rin would sleep close to him, and every chance she could get, she was always in contact with his clothing, or his hand. Surprisingly enough he actually let her do so. He was like an illusion that Rin was afraid would fade away if she dared to blink. Or else, if she wasn't with him, he would forget what he had said to her on that morning….

When she asked him whether or not he would allow her to stay at his side, he simply responded, "Suki ni shiro." Do whatever you like. It was not a declaration of love, granted, but it was her confirmation that he would still allow her to be beside him, in spite of the troubles she had brought him; and despite her confession of love towards him. It was not a rejection, certainly, and that was what mattered most.

Besides, his words, however lacking in emotion were always accompanied with a gentle look. She was just beginning to discover this new territory within the boundaries of what he felt for her. Rin was certain that he had never treated anyone else so tenderly. Was this love? Do mononoke even feel love? This was something no one had ever explained to her. Demons did not really have a need for love, especially not Sesshomaru-sama, who most likely considered such a feeling a weakness. Yet she could not deny the softened looks he gave her now. He had changed. Does this mean he intends to choose me for a… mate? Rin asked herself, in shock of the prospect. Suddenly, she thought she could feel a nosebleed coming on. Her head was feeling a little fluffy…

"Hime-sama," said Yoko, observing her. "You do not look well at all. Is it too hot in here? Shall I help you take off your robe?" Yoko's motherly instincts had taken over and there was no stopping her until Rin let the coddling run its course. Rin sighed and resigned to let it be.

"I'm fine, Yoko," she protested as Yoko helped her out of her robe and then bustled over to her window and propped it open, and subsequently opened the sliding door that revealed a smaller private garden with a willow tree hanging over a pond of sweet smelling water lilies and lotuses. A flowering vine with purple blossoms stretched up to meet the trunk of the willow. Since she came back, arrangements were made to have her moved to a different, larger sleeping chamber. Rin had not really noticed that this door lead to such a garden. It was quite beautiful. The cool afternoon breeze brushed against her cheeks and she could feel her body temperature returning to normal.

"How are you feeling Hime-sama? Have your broken bones healed completely?" asked Yoko with concern.

"I am fine, Yoko," smiled Rin. "My bones are well healed, I think, as it doesn't hurt to move around anymore. There are no scars either, as far as I can tell. You constant attention has really helped," she said gratefully. Rin felt her left rib cage and confirmed that nothing was awry. During her last battle, she had fractured more than one rib, broken her left arm as well as received several deep cuts to her body. But Jaken had reset the arm for her while she was unconscious and her little imp demon friend had patched her up quite nicely as ordered by Sesshomaru. Rin was grateful that Jaken was present to attend to such trivial matters. She couldn't imagine Sesshomaru…. She could feel the fire under her skin again at the thought of his touching her. The cool breeze from outside wasn't helping at all this time.

"I wanted to give you some more healing elixir, but your temperature seems to be on the rise. It is not healthy to take the elixir in that state," said Yoko, feeling Rin's forehead with the back of on wrinkled hand. "And if you say you are well, then, I guess we shall let your body recuperate on its own from here on," smiled Yoko. Rin nodded in agreement as the healing elixir was not pleasant tasting at all. It was supposed to hasten the healing of broken bones and bruises but it tasted like boiled grass and dirt.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Hime-sama. You have been sleeping much since you returned to us; sleeping early and rising late, barely stepping out of your chambers. This is so unlike you. Your nature is to be out in the light. But now you've grown a bit pale even. Sesshomaru-sama has been worried," said Yoko with a soft smile, not meeting Rin's gaze; her hand was motioning towards the other wing of the castle beyond Rin's open door.

He was worried about her? Why did he not come to see her these many days past? Rin's thoughts drifted and stirred up a want in her that she could neither deny nor satiate.

Rin peered out across the pond in the fading daylight and slightly gasped. She had never resided on this side of the castle before, and rarely had need to visit this wing of the castle, but if she was not mistaken across the pond and beyond the stone path were Sesshomaru-sama's private chambers. The lanterns inside were emitting a warm, gentle glow. Was he really that close? Amid a bubbling panic of virgin modesty Rin wondered if she could have her old room back. The one on the far, far, far end of the castle….

Translation Key:

Hime-sama: my lady princess

Obaa-san: old woman

Mononoke: demon/spirit

Sama: lord/lady (honorific title)

Suki ni shiro: do as you please/as you wish